Site News
Topic: *Industry News* 2015 - 2024

2022 WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP TICKETS ON SALE NOW

The 2022 World Pool Championship will return to the Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes from Wednesday, April 6 to Sunday, April 10, with tickets on sale now from only £20 per day or £100 for the week.

Book your tickets here...

https://www2.theticketfactory.com/matchroompool/online/

This year’s event will see a substantial increase in prize money, with the total set at $325,000 from $250,000 in 2021.

Two-time winner and Nineball World No.1 Albin Ouschan will lead the field as defending champion after overcoming Kuwait's Omar Al-Shaheen in last year's final. Entry criteria for the 2022 World Pool Championship will be distributed as follows:

The 40 ranked players on the 2022 Nineball World Rankings
50 World Pool-Billiard Association allocations
The remaining spots will taken up by wild cards
Fans will be able to get up close and enjoy action across all 16 tables from only £20 for the day and £100 for the whole week.

For the first time, fans can also enjoy the VIP experience for the semi-finals and final for only £150 with canapes on arrival, a free programme, a two-course meal between the sessions plus an open private bar for ten hours along with a premium front three-row seat to soak in the action.

Tickets are on sale right now. Buy yours here...

https://www2.theticketfactory.com/matchroompool/online/

As well as an increased prize fund, the format for the World Pool Championship will see an alteration to the early rounds. This format will be revealed in the coming days.

Dynamic Billard European Pool Championships

Presented by HOTEL THERMANA PARK LAŠKO

2022 EUROS BREAK OFF TOMORROW

1st March

THE 2022 Dynamic Billard European Pool Championship is set to get
underway tomorrow (Wednesday 2nd March) in the central Slovenian town of
Lasko. 190 athletes have gathered at the Hotel Thermana Park to compete
over 11 days of pool action.

There are 15 separate events across four disciplines - 8, 9 and 10 ball
as well as straight pool – plus the men's and women's team competitions.
In total there are four divisions; men, women, under 23 men and
wheelchair users.

The schedule is as follows:

14.1 –     Men:     Starts Wednesday 02.03; Finals Thursday 03.03
        Women

10-Ball – Men:     Starts Friday 4.03; Finals Sunday 06.03
         Women
         Wheelchair

8-Ball – Men:     Starts Sunday 6.03; Finals Wednesday 09.03
         Women
         Wheelchair
         U23

9-Ball – Men:     Starts Thursday 10.03; Finals Saturday 12.03
         Women
         Wheelchair
         U23

Teams – Men:     Starts Monday 7.03; Finals Friday 11.03
        Women

All matches can be viewed live at www.kozoom.com

Results, live scoring and draw are available at
www.epbf.com/tournaments/european-championships/

NINEBALL WORLD RANKINGS UPDATE

Poland's Wiktor Zielinski secured the Euro Tour Lasko Open title beating Joshua Filler 9-7 in the final on Monday in Lasko, Slovenia, to move up to third on the 2023 Nineball World Rankings with the tournament counting towards Matchroom’s rankings which were launched earlier this year.

WORLD RANKINGS HERE...

https://matchroompool.com/world-rankings/

The tournament ran by the EPBF forms part of the 2022 Nineball schedule alongside eight Matchroom tournaments and tournaments run by other promoters that will contribute towards the 2023 Nineball World Rankings.

Eklent Kaçi gave a good account of himself as the 2021 Mosconi Cup winner reached the semi-finals which takes the Albanian up to World No.7. Filler's run to the final in Slovenia meant the World Cup of Pool winner held his position on the 2023 Nineball World Rankings at No.2. It was a good week for Zielinski's compatriot Wojciech Szewczyk who entered the rankings for the first-time level with Kaçi after a run to the semi-finals before defeat to Zielinski.

Money earned by players during Ranking Events, Major Events, and Blue Ribbon Events featured on the Nineball schedule will contribute to the standings on the 2023 Rankings as part of Matchroom's goal to recognise Nineball as the primary discipline of pool worldwide as well as offering the chance for European and USA players the opportunity to qualify for the 2022 Mosconi Cup through the merit of their 2022 performances.

The Nineball World Rankings:

• Feature the primary rankings list of an initial Top 32 ranked players with a top-up of a further 8 players, this list will be used throughout the 2022 events for qualification and seeding to the Nineball schedule of events

• Feature the secondary rankings list of live actual ranking points of prize money earnt that will come into effect December 2022 as well as contribute towards the Mosconi Cup 2022 team qualification

• Feature 8 Matchroom promoted events

Event Status (subject to change and review on a yearly basis)

• Blue Ribbon > $300,000 +

• Major Events > $150,000 – $299,999

• Ranking Events > Up to $149,999

The Nineball World Rankings are open to any tournament recognised by Matchroom and given the approval of Matchroom and sanction of the WPA.

To be a part of the rankings, tournament organisers must follow the overall standards set out by the Nineball World Rankings to raise the profile of the sport. Whilst this will be flexible for 2022, the aim will be to standardise the professional rules of the game of Nineball producing fairness for players throughout all organised events as well as generating an easy understanding of the game: increasing awareness across the globe.

Read more on Zielinski's win courtesy of the EPBF

Both players were in tip top form entering the final. In the first semi-final, Zielinski had defeated countryman Wojciech Szewczyk 9-7 in an excellent match that had seen him run out six times. In the other, a rampant Filler had too much for Kaci, finishing up a 9-5 winner.

The Polish player took the opening rack as well as the second, when Filler, who was going nicely, overran the cue ball with just the 7 and 9 on the table. His safety wasn’t tight enough and Zielinski took the last two balls.

A push out was required from Wiktor in the third game and he left a jump shot on the 2 ball on. He made an excellent attempt but was not rewarded with the position. A good safety saw Filler make contact but he left the pink 4 ball on and from there Zielinski advanced to 3-0.

Filler took the next as his push out to a jump shot paid dividends when his opponent left the 2 ball on and he cleared for 3-1. The Polish star restored his three-rack lead in the next, moving around the table with confidence.

A fast-paced break and run from Filler was just what he needed as he pegged the deficit back to two racks. Zielinski returned the favour in the next as he too ran out from the break to take his lead to 5-2. It was high-quality stuff from both players as Filler ran the next from the break. Trailing by two, he needed Zielinski to slip up somehow.

Filler got his chance in the next as Zielinski scratched on the break and with ball in hand, he ran out for 5-4 and really opened up the match. Sensing his opportunity, Joshua broke and ran the next to level the game. The pressure was back on Zielinski but he had the break in his favour in the race to 9 match.

With no clear pot on the 2 ball in the next, Zielinski played a nice snooker but Filler came with an almighty jump shot to cut the 2 into the centre pocket and set up the run out as he took the lead at 6-5. A missed 2/8 combination from Filler in the next got Zielinski back into the fray and his superior safety play prevailed as he restored parity at 6-6.

Zielinski came with another break and run and there was a feeling that winning the lag may be a telling factor in the destination of the trophy. There was no hanging around in the next as Joshua swiftly worked his way around the table to level at 7-7.

Another sledgehammer break from Zielinski set up a run out and Filler found himself breaking to stave off defeat. Having to play safe, Filler initially thought he’d got it but there was a gap between the 5 and 9 balls that allowed Zielinski to pocket the red 3. From there, he made no mistakes as he went through the balls to claim a superb win.

It was Zielinski’s second consecutive Dynamic Billard Euro Tour win – an amazing achievement that has only been accomplished twice before in 11 years. He can now look forward to Treviso, Italy in April and a chance to go one better.

Roel Esquillo to compete in First Maestro Mistica Custom Cues 10 Ball Open Tournament
by Marlon Bernardino

MANILA---Roel Esquillo will showcase his talent in the First Maestro Mistica Custom Cues 10 Ball Open Tournament on April 1 to 3, 2022 at the 3rd floor Bowling and Billiards, Sta. Lucia Mall in Cainta, Rizal.

“I hope to do well in the upcoming First Maestro Mistica Custom Cues 10 Ball Open Tournament ,” said Esquillo, who won numerous tournament in Japan.
“I will pour all that I know in the cue sports,” he added.

Also seeing action next month are Jerico Banares, Mark Mendoza, Raymund Faraon , AJ Manas, Manalo Tanasas, Alex Lumpay, Kenneth Arpilleda, Patrick Gonzales, Jonas Reyes, Julius Orcollo, Erlindo Doria, John Salazar and Bernie Regalario.

The champion will earn P40,000 plus Maestro Mistica Custom Cues. The second placer will get P20,000, third P10,000, fourth P10,000, fifth P5,000, sixth P5,000, seventh P5,000 and eight P5,000.

The race to 7 double elimination format is supported by Jyre Dominic Obligacion in close cooperation with the Games and Amusements Board, Edgar Acaba, Joel Estella Calzado and Ramon "Maestro" Mistica.

-Marlon Bernardino-


Photo shows Ramon "Maestro" Mistica (left), and Roel Esquillo (right).

Jonas Magpantay wins 1st IMBA’s Place Taguig 10-Ball Open Tournament
by Marlon Bernardino

Final Payouts
Champion: Jonas Magpantay (P70,000)
2nd Place: Paolo Gallito (30,000)
3rd Place:Angelo Ariola (P15,000)
4th Place: Jason Sentillas (P15,000)

MANILA---Jonas Magpantay won the 1st IMBA’s Place Taguig 10-Ball Open Tournament title Thursday, March 24, 2022 at the IMBA’s Place Billiard Hall in Taguig City.

The top player of Bansud, Oriental Mindoro Magpantay, also know as “The Silent Killer”, pocketed the top prize of P70,000 after defeating Paolo Gallito with a score of 11-6 in the finals. Gallito settled for P30,000 runner-up prize.

Magpantay's entry into the Finals was highlighted by a victory over Jerico Banares, 9-6, in the Quarter Finals Match and Jason Sentillas, 9-5, in the Semifinals.

Gallito, on the other hand, needed to beat Dennis Orcollo, 9-4, and Angelo Ariola , 9-5, to arrange a titular showdown with Magpantay.


Photo shows Jonas Magpantay

DIAMOND BILLIARDS SET FOR 2022 WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP


Matchroom is delighted to announce Diamond Billiards as the Official Table & Light Provider for the 2022 World Pool Championship this April 6-10 at the Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes, England.

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

Diamond’s partnership with Matchroom has gone from strength to strength with the US-based manufacturer providing 34 tables for the US Open Pool Championship and it will now see the tables become the official World Pool Championship table for the first time in the new era.

The 2022 World Pool Championship tables will be tougher than ever with the corner pockets measuring at 4.25 inches as part of the Nineball vision in producing standardized regulations for the ranking events.

VP of Diamond Billiards Chad Scharlow said: “Diamond Billiards is honoured to be working with Matchroom on one of the most prestigious tournaments on the calendar. I am looking forward to seeing a new world champion crowned while playing on our professional tables.”

“Matchroom are world leaders in pool and paired with our world-class tables and playing conditions, we’re excited to see our world-class tables in the Nineball Arena.”

Emily Frazer, Matchroom Multi Sport Managing Director said: “I would like to thank Diamond and Chad first for their resilience in making sure we have 17 playing tables and 4 practice tables available for players at this year’s World Pool Championship. Logistically, it has proven tough with the ongoing pandemic, but thanks to their work, it promises to be our best World Pool Championship to date. The 4.25-inch pockets offer a true test for what will be the best of the best going head-to-head for a record $60,000 first-place prize.”

The 2022 World Pool Championship will be played on Diamond 9ft Professional Tables and clothed with Iwan Simonis 860 Shark Grey Cloth, Aramith Tournament Black balls, and Diamond Professional Lights.

As part of Matchroom’s commitment to the global recognition of Nineball as the primary discipline of pool worldwide, the World Pool Championship will see prize money increase from $250,000 to $325,000 with the winner now taking home $60,000, the largest winners’ cheque in Nineball.

Tickets are on sale now to get up close and enjoy action across all 17 tables from only £20 for the day and £100 for the whole week. Limited tickets are available for the final day from only £20.

For the first time, fans can also enjoy the VIP experience for the semi-finals and final for only £150 with canapes on arrival, free programme, a two-course meal between the sessions plus an open private bar for ten hours along with a premium front three-row seat to soak in the action.

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

CAZOO TO SPONSOR SNOOKER’S BRITISH OPEN

Cazoo, Europe’s leading online car retailer, which makes ordering a car as simple and seamless as buying any other product online today, is expanding its snooker partnership with the World Snooker Tour to become the main sponsor of the British Open for the first time.

The 2022 Cazoo British Open will run from September 26th to October 2nd at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes and will see prominent Cazoo branding on the main set, players’ waistcoats and interview and media conference backdrops and will have extensive live coverage on ITV and a range of broadcasters across the globe.

This deal extends Cazoo’s portfolio of prestigious snooker sponsorships, which also includes the Cazoo Masters, Cazoo UK Championship, Cazoo Champion of Champions and the trio of Cazoo Series events.

Cazoo is now one of the biggest sports sponsors in the UK with a portfolio that includes football (Everton, Aston Villa & the EFL), cricket (The Hundred), rugby (Welsh Rugby Union & 2021 Rugby League World Cup), golf (European Tour), horse racing (Epsom Derby & St Leger) and darts (PDC). Cazoo will also sponsor Spanish LaLiga football teams Real Sociedad and Valencia FC and French Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille, from the start of next season.

Cazoo was founded in 2018 by renowned British entrepreneur Alex Chesterman and has already sold over 60,000 cars in the UK since its launch as consumers have embraced the selection, value, transparency and convenience of buying and selling used cars fully online. Cazoo has grown its team to over 4,250 across the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Portugal.

Snooker’s British Open was first staged in 1985 and remained on the calendar until 2004, then returned in 2021 after a 17-year gap. Mark Williams is the defending champion having beaten Gary Wilson 6-4 in the final in Leicester.

It’s the only tournament on the WST circuit to include a random ‘FA Cup style’ draw for each round. Last year, matches in the early rounds were the best of five frames, but this year that has been increased to best of seven for the early rounds, best of nine for the quarter-finals, best of 11 for the semis and best of 19 for the showpiece final on Sunday October 2nd.

Alex Chesterman OBE, Founder & CEO of Cazoo said: “We’re excited to extend our partnership with WST and Matchroom to include the 2022 Cazoo British Open. This deal will grow our audience as we continue to build Cazoo into a household brand and deliver the best car buying and selling experience across the UK and Europe.”

Steve Dawson, Chairman of WST said: “We are thrilled to join forces once again with Cazoo for the fantastic British Open which proved a great success when we brought it back on to the calendar last season. Cazoo have an outstanding set of snooker properties across the season, bringing massive global exposure for their brand. With extensive free to air coverage on ITV and the best players in the world competing for the title, the Cazoo British Open will once again reach a vast audience of snooker fans. We are excited to work with the Cazoo team on building this far-reaching partnership.”

Tickets for the event will be on sale soon, details will be announced on www.wst.tv/tickets.

🇬🇧 UK Open | Tickets on Priority Sale Monday from £15 🎟

Tickets for the first-ever UK Open Pool Championship at the Copper Box Arena, London will go on Priority Sale to you as a Matchroom Pool Club member on Monday 4, April at 3 pm UK time with special early bird ticket prices from £15.

PRIORITY SALE OPEN AT 3 PM (UK TIME) MONDAY 4, APRIL

The UK Open Pool Championship will get underway for the first time from May 17-22 with 256 of the world’s best players descending on London for glory and a slice of the $200,000 prize pot in one of England’s most iconic venues.

EARLY BIRD TICKET PRICES – BOOK BY MONDAY 11, APRIL

BOOK USING PROMO CODE – UKOpen

Season Ticket – £80 instead of £100

17-21 May – £15 Day Ticket instead of £20

22 May – £20 Final Day Ticket instead of £30

Matchroom Pool Club members will be able to take advantage of our early bird discount offer for one week with day tickets for only £15 instead of £20 and a season ticket for only £80 instead of £100 to enjoy all the action.

Fans will be able to take in every single table at the Copper Box Arena as 256 battle through the double-elimination stage led by the top 32 on the Nineball World Rankings. Lending its format from the US Open, only the last 16 will make it through to the straight knockout stage.

You will be emailed on Monday with a special link to access priority UK Open tickets. You must book using the promo code above by Monday 11, April to take advantage of our early bird ticket prices.

Gather your mates together and we will see you at the Copper Box Arena, London!

Matchroom Pool Club members will be emailed on Monday with a special code to access priority UK Open tickets.

SIGN UP FOR PRIORITY ACCESS FOR FREE HERE

General sale will open on Monday 11, April.

US OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP ENTRIES SELL OUT IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS

Pool’s most historic tournament sells out entries in under 24 hours with 256 players set to descend on the East Coast of the USA at Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City.

US OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP ENTRIES SELL OUT IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS

Player Entries for the 2022 US Open Pool Championship at Harrah's Resort, Atlantic City sold out in less than 24 hours with fans able to buy spectator tickets for Pool's most historic tournament from next Tuesday, April 19.

Fans can sign up to the free Matchroom Pool Club for the priority ticket access here

Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City will remain home to the US Open Pool Championship, the sport’s longest-running major for at least the next three years as part of an exciting new partnership with Caesars Entertainment and the Atlantic City Sports Commission.

After the success of the 2021 US Open Pool Championship last September, Matchroom will return to New Jersey this October 10-15, 2022, with the event televised live on Sky Sports on October 14-15. The event will also see an exciting addition featuring a new amateur tournament that will be run by Diamond Billiards in conjunction with Matchroom at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City.

The 2023 US Open Pool Championship will take place from September 25-30, 2023, at Harrah's Resort, Atlantic City, live on Sky Sports. 2024 dates will come soon.

Tickets for the 2022 US Open Pool Championship start from just $15 for the day with season passes available from $86. Fans can also take advantage of our season pass with premium seating for the final day meaning a front three-row seat and priority access to the arena for only $175.

Tickets will go on priority sale to Matchroom Pool Club members on Tuesday 19, April with General Sale tickets on sale from Tuesday, April 26. Fans will also be able to take advantage of our exclusive hotel room rate at Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City.

Filipino Carlo Biado will head back to Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City with his eyes on defending the US Open title after defeating Aloysius Yapp in the final in dramatic circumstances from 7-3 down.

Matchroom Multi Sport Managing Director Emily Frazer said: “Since meeting the team at Harrah’s Resort and Atlantic City Sports Commission, we have all seen the growth potential of pool along the East Coast and are determined to keep building. To see player entries, sell out so quickly is refreshing to see, we are recognising a consistent theme here as we continue to see with our open field events. I cannot wait to see it growth further along the East Coast with the support of Atlantic City Sports Commission, Caesars Entertainment and Diamond Billiards.”

The US Open Pool Championship will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK/Ireland, DAZN in the USA, Canada, Brazil, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Viaplay in Scandinavia, the Baltics, Poland, Netherlands, and Belgium. Further broadcasters will be announced soon with fans also able to enjoy the action on Matchroom.Live in selected countries.

About the Atlantic City Sports Commission
The Atlantic City Sports Commission was officially formed on January 13, 2015, as a 501 (c)(3) organization with the support of Meet AC and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to attract sporting events, conventions, and competitions to Atlantic City.

For more information, visit http://www.atlanticcitysports.org/. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

New Format For Snooker's Cazoo UK Championship

Snooker’s Cazoo UK Championship, to be staged in November 2022, will have a new format which guarantees that the world’s top 16 players will compete in the televised stages.

From next season, the tournament’s structure will mirror that of the World Championship, with the top 16 seeded into the last 32, to be joined by 16 players who come through the qualifying rounds.

Prize money for the Cazoo UK Championship, one of the sport’s Triple Crown events, has been increased from £1,009,000 to £1,205,000, with the first prize up from £200,000 to £250,000.

The final stages of the tournament will run from November 12 to 20 at the York Barbican, its home since 2011. This will be immediately preceded by a qualifying event featuring 128 players, made up by 112 professionals and 16 invited amateurs.

The UK Championship was first staged in 1977 and is one of snooker’s longest running events. It is broadcast to a global audience of hundreds of millions by BBC, Eurosport, CCTV5 and a range of other outlets worldwide.

China’s Zhao Xintong is the current champion having beaten Belgium’s Luca Brecel in the 2021 final.

In recent years, the event has started with all 128 players in a flat draw, but the decision to seed the top 16 to the last 32 round ensures that the sport’s biggest stars will feature in the televised phase. Matches will remain best of 11 frames up until the final.

WST Chairman Steve Dawson said: “This format works perfectly for the World Championship so it is also ideal for our second biggest ranking event, the UK Championship.

“This guarantees a star-studded line-up for the final stages, while the qualifying event itself also creates drama and great storylines as 128 players battle for 16 coveted spots at the fabulous York Barbican venue.

“We are also delighted to increase prize money for the event, to the benefit of every player on the tour.

“These changes will enhance the status of the Cazoo UK Championship as one of the outstanding events on our calendar.”

Tickets for the event are on sale now, for details www.wst.tv/tickets

World Snooker Tour Extends BBC Broadcast Deal To 2027

Snooker’s biggest tournaments will continue to be broadcast by BBC for another five years following an extension to the current agreement with WST.

The World Championship, UK Championship and the Masters will receive comprehensive live BBC television coverage and online streaming until 2027, bringing the sport to many millions of fans across the UK.

The current agreement originally ran until the end of the 2023/24 season but has been extended by a further three years.

The World Championship, snooker’s biggest event, is currently underway at the famous Crucible in Sheffield and runs for 17 days each Spring. Last year’s final attracted a peak audience of 4 million. The UK Championship takes place in York in November while the Masters, with an elite 16-man field, is staged at Alexandra Palace, London in January. Collectively the three events are known as the Triple Crown Series.

WST Chairman Steve Dawson said: “Extending this partnership demonstrates what a successful relationship we have built with the BBC over a period of more than 50 years. Our relationship allows us to tap into the huge reach that only the BBC can deliver while providing world class sporting drama to BBC audiences. Snooker belongs on the BBC and it’s important for our sport to be seen by a massive audience throughout the UK. Millions of people enjoy snooker’s biggest events on the BBC and the quality of their production is outstanding. BBC’s coverage is an integral part of the rich history which surrounds our Triple Crown tournaments.”

Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport said: “It’s wonderful news for snooker fans across the UK that the Triple Crown events will remain free-to-air. We’re proud of our longstanding partnership with WST and delighted to see it continue to 2027.”

Accu-Stats Video Productions Welcomes New Owner

Avondale, Az (May 11th, 2022) – Accu-Stats Video Productions is happy to announce that it has a new proprietor: BCA Hall-of-Famer Pat Fleming has sold Accu-Stats to Mike Howerton of AZBilliards.

Fleming expressed, "I couldn’t be happier in committing my lifetime’s accomplishment, Accu-Stats, to Mike Howerton. He is a well-respected, trusted, and energetic individual who is held in the highest regard by the billiard community. He will tend to this historic collection with care and respect. I am proud of him already."

"I’m ecstatic," enthused Howerton. "I grew up, and learned to love this game watching Accu-Stats videos. I’m truly honored to be entrusted with all that Pat has created.”

While Fleming intends to spend more time with his lovely wife, Diane; competing in the occasional tournament; enjoying his non-pool related hobbies, he will continue to produce and stream the International Open and Derby City Classic.

Howerton reflected that he has no plans for any major changes to Accu-Stats. "What's to change? I can’t imagine any reason to change anything. Pat has built an amazing library immortalizing the greatest players in our sport. I just want to respectfully cultivate that archive so the world can enjoy the fruits of his legacy."

Jayson Shaw Achieves Record Straight Pool High Run
    
Superior, Colo., May 20, 2022 – The Billiard Congress of America would like to formally congratulate Jayson Shaw on his 14.1 exhibition high run of 669 balls, breaking John Schmidt’s record of 626 balls.

On January 18, 2022 Jayson Shaw after 5 days and 122 attempts in which Shaw produced high runs of 380, 397, 407 and 714 set the new 14.1 exhibition straight pool high run record.

Shaw’s record-breaking run, recorded on video, lasted 2 hours and 39 minutes. After review of the unedited video by a BCA committee of 5 people it was noted that on the 45th ball, Jayson Shaw inadvertently touched an object ball.

After another BCA rules and regulations committee meeting, it was determined in order to maintain the integrity of this and future high-run attempts that the World-Standardized Rules for tournaments of all ball fouls should and would be noted. As such, the Billiard Congress of America has certified and is proud to acknowledge Jayson Shaw’s 669 run as the new 14.1 exhibition record.

Jayson Shaw’s new high run record was played at Street Light Billiards Academy in Alexandria, Virginia, with an all-wood Peri Cue, Kamui chalk and a Kamui glove and played on an unheated 4.5’ x 9’ Brunswick Gold Crown III pocket billiard table on Green Simonis 760 cloth with 4.9” corner pocket openings and 5.3” side pocket openings. Shaw used Aramith TV Tournament pool balls, with a perma-rack and a standard 14.1 outline on the cloth. The host of the event, Bobby Chamberlain of The Legends of Pocket Billiards stated, “It was incredible to see Jayson firing one ball after the other in such a short period of time.”

The Billiard Congress of America is currently in the process of producing a guideline document that will establish parameters and standards for future exhibition 14.1 high run record attempts. For more information about this guideline document please contact the Billiard Congress of America.

About Billiard Congress of America

Founded in 1948, the Billiard Congress of America is a non-profit trade organization dedicated to growing a united, prosperous and highly regarded billiard industry through BCA leadership. The BCA seeks to enhance the success of its members and promote the game of billiards though educational, marketing and promotional efforts, annual industry trade shows, tournaments and other programs designed to encourage billiards as a lifestyle and make pool everybody's game. For more information, visit bca-pool.com or call 303.243.5070.

European Pocket Billiard Federation

EPBF Referee Course Concludes in Lithuania

27st May 2022

FOLLOWING LENGTHY delays due to Covid and travel restrictions, the EPBF
Referee Course finally took place over the weekend of 21st and 22nd May,
having originally been scheduled for 2020. Taking place at the Arena
Billiard Club in Kaunas Lithuania, the course was conducted by EPBF Head
Referees at the Miha Vovko and Roman Mirakhmedov.

The candidates were examined over a two-day period using theory and
practical work and were graded on both. If the candidate passed on
either theory or practical, they received the EPBF recognition. If the
candidate passed both, they then progressed to a Level 3 standard within
the refereeing structure.

Within the EPBF refereeing system, Level 1 is the highest grade and
beyond that, there is the Head Referee standard.

Both Vovko and Mirakhmedov were extremely pleased to get back to
teaching as Roman explained; “It’s a long time since our last course but
it was nice to get back in the saddle again. The candidates should know
the rules before they arrive so it’s more of developing what they know
into the standard set by the EPBF”.

Miha Vovko, head of the referee group since its inception, said “It’s
always pleasing to see new faces wishing to do our job. Refereeing is
rewarding but at the same time demanding and that’s what we try to put
across in our courses. 14 participants from eight countries is
impressive but it also shows that it was overdue. We had 28 active
referees already within the group so these new recruits will be
welcomed.”

Andrey, a participant on the course said “It was a very interesting and
knowledgeable course, demanding but also involving. Miha and Roman
brought a lot of unusual situations to the table which were analysed and
explained and I would recommend this course to any budding referee.”

Tomas Brikmanis, President of the Lithuanian Billiard Federation, said
"I am very glad that the long-planned pool referees’ seminar finally
took place in my hometown Kaunas. There is a great shortage of highly
qualified pool judges in the Baltic States.

“After all, it is these people who directly influence the quality of
sporting events. Personally, I would like to thank EPBF head referees
Miha Vovko and Roman Mirakhmedov for their fantastic work. Both the
organizers of the event and the participants of the seminar were
satisfied with the final result. All that was left was to wait for the
newly certified pool referees to appear in official pool competitions."

Roman Mirakhmedov summed up the outcome. “We received very positive
feedback about the interactive delivery and course content. Many
candidates noted that the course went beyond their expectations, and
they learned more than they expected. We’re happy to welcome a new group
of certified referees to the EPBF family, and look forward to the next
course that we expect to take place in 2023."

If you would like to know more about becoming a referee or joining the
EPBF referee structure, contact the EPBF office at udo51@t-online.de

LONGONI 9 BALL LEAGUE

Sankt Johann Im Pongau, Austria

ROUND THREE

2nd June 2022

The Longoni 9 Ball League, a brand-new scotch doubles tournament,
continues in Sankt Johann Im Pongau, Austria with the final group
matches. Playing out on the 23rd June at 20:30h, the evening will
feature matches between Norway & Bosnia Herzegovina and Poland v Italy,
followed at 21:30h by Spain v Albania and finally Serbia v Germany.

The top-ranked athletes from the current EPBF EuroTour standings compete
in a team scotch doubles format. 12 teams compete in four groups of
three teams, with the group winners progressing to the final stage and
the team finishing bottom, relegated from next year’s competition.

With the EuroTour rankings determining the teams, Germany’s Tobias
Bongers moves ahead of Thorsten Hohmann, after his 5th place finish in
Italy, and will partner Joshua Filler in their match with Serbia. Having
beaten Estonia in the first round, the German duo will seal a semi-final
berth with a victory over Serbia’s Aleksa Pecelj and Andreas Klasovic.

Francesco Candela remains the top Italian on the EuroTour rankings and
he will again be partnered by Fabio Petroni who just bettered Daniele
Corrieri with a 33rd place finish in Italy. Petroni sits just one place
and 15 points above Corriere in 37th place on the overall ranking. The
Italians have a tough match they need to win against Poland’s hot
properties, Wiktor Zielinski and Wojciech Szewczyk, who eased past
Austria in the opening round 7-3.

With the group winners advancing to the semi-finals, it’s all to play
for and a few groups could end with a tiebreak if the results go that
way. For this to happen in their respective groups, Albania would need
to beat Spain, Serbia beat Germany and Italy conquer Poland. This
scenario would force a tiebreak in their respective groups.

That would see all three teams in the group go head-to-head at the next
EuroTour stop in Bulgaria in August in a race to 7 racks with both
advancement and relegation determined.

Greece are the only team already relegated from next year’s Longoni 9
Ball League having lost their opening two matches. This leaves Bosnia &
Herzegovina and Norway in a straight shoot-out for a place in the
semi-finals which take place on Friday 30th September in Slovenia.

The Longoni 9 Ball League, promoted by the Longoni Group is a team event
consisting of the two highest EuroTour ranked athletes from 12 nations
competing in a scotch doubles group format. Matches can be viewed live
on the free Kozoom platform, TV.kozoom as well as on the Longoni 9 Ball
League & EPBF Facebook pages.

Germany Open Starts June 13th

The Predator Pro Billiards Series returns in 10 days with the first European event of 2022 - the Predator Germany Open from June 13-18.

The Predator Germany Open includes a €82,400 total prize fund, 128-player Open event and a 64-player Women’s division with €45,400 added.

Matches from the Predator Germany Open will be streamed live on Billiard TV via watchbilliard.tv, and the World Billiard TV YouTube Channel, while Kozoom.com will be streaming every table live.

The winner of each 2022 US Pro Billiard Series event will receive a guaranteed spot in the 2023 Predator World 10-Ball Championship, which will be held February 27 through March 3 in Las Vegas.

WORLD SNOOKER'S UN-NOOH AND SAENGKHAM TO REPRESENT THAILAND AT WORLD CUP OF POOL

World Snooker duo of Thepchaiya Un-Nooh and Noppon Saengkham will represent Thailand at this week's 2022 World Cup of Pool at the Brentwood Centre, Essex after Efren Reyes and Carlo Biado of the Philippines were forced to withdraw due to travel issues.

Un-Nooh, a World Snooker Tour ranking winner, and Saengkham, who reached the Last 16 of this year's World Snooker Championship will play South Africa in the afternoon session on Thursday, 16 June with the Netherland's match against Morocco moving to become the final action of the afternoon session on Wednesday, 15 June. This also sees Poland's match with Hong Kong, China, and Greece vs Cyprus move forwards on Wednesday.

Revised Match Schedule

Tuesday, 14 June – Morning

Germany (1) vs New Zealand
Chinese Taipei (9) vs Argentina
Albania (13) vs Italy
Tuesday, 14 June – Evening

USA (2) vs Canada
Hungary (10) vs Czech Republic
Spain (4) vs Australia
Wednesday, 15 June – Morning

Poland (15) vs Hong Kong, China
Greece (8) vs Cyprus
Netherlands (16) vs Morocco
Wednesday, 15 June – Evening

Great Britain A (12) vs Great Britain B
Estonia (14) vs Serbia
Austria (3) vs Finland
Thursday, 16 June – Morning

Thailand vs South Africa
Singapore (6) vs Qatar
Kuwait (11) vs Vietnam
Thursday, 16 June – Evening

Japan (7) vs Switzerland
2 x Round 2 matches

Friday 17 June – Round 2 – both sessions

Saturday, 18 June – Quarter-Finals – both sessions

Sunday, 19 June – Semi-Finals - Morning

Sunday, 19 June – Final - Evening

Action gets underway live on Sky Sports Arena at 11 am tomorrow as well as live on DAZN in the USA, Canada, Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Viaplay in Scandinavia, the Baltics, Netherlands, and Poland. See the full list of broadcasters here including Matchroom.Live if no broadcaster is available.

Session Times (UK Time)

Morning – 11 am – 3 pm

Evening – 5 pm – 9 pm (except for 19, June 6 pm start)

Tickets

Individual Sessions – From £10
Day tickets for both sessions – From £15
Season Ticket – £85
BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

2022 MOSCONI CUP SELECTION DATES REVISED

The selection dates for the 2022 Mosconi Cup at Bally's Las Vegas from November 30 to December 3 2022 will change to reflect the movement of the European Open Pool Championship in the Nineball World Rankings Schedule to August 9-14 in Fulda, Germany.

Selection Process

For the first time, the Live Nineball World Rankings will come into play, with three players from each side who will qualify on order of merit from the Nineball World Rankings. The Live Nineball World Rankings are updated after every event recognised by the Nineball World Rankings Schedule this year and are still poised to grow further. The final two players from each side will be wild cards.

The Cutoff

The top player from each team from the Live Nineball World Rankings will be selected after the conclusion of the 2022 European Open Pool Championship at Hotel Esperanto Fulda, August 9-14 2022

A further two players for each team will then be taken off the Live Nineball World Rankings after the conclusion of the 2022 US Open Pool Championship at Harrah's Resort, Atlantic City from October 10-15 2022

Both Team Europe and the USA will then have two wild card picks each as selected by the two respective captains Alex Lely and Jeremy Jones

Ranking Events Coming Up
• St Johann im Pongau Open – EuroTour – Salzburg, Austria – June 24-27
Petrich Open – EuroTour – Petrich, Bulgaria – August 6-8
• European Open Pool Championship – Matchroom – Hotel Esperanto Fulda, Germany - August 9-14 2022 - Entries open Tuesday, 21 June
• Slovenia Open – EuroTour – Slovenia – October 1-3
• Sandcastle 9-Ball Open – NBL – New Jersey – October 6-8
• US Open Pool Championship – Matchroom – Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City – October 10-15 – Tickets are available here
• International Open – Accu-Stats – Virginia, USA – October 30 – 5 November
• EuroTour Treviso Open – EuroTour – Treviso, Italy – November 25-27

______________________________________________________


The 2022 Mosconi Cup returns stateside for the first time since 2019 when the USA secured a famous 11-8 victory over their European counterparts, and they will be looking for a similar scoreline come this fall at Bally’s after back-to-back defeats in 2020 and 2021. Tickets went in record time with now only limited availability in certain sections on certain days. Buy your seat here.

The 2022 European Open Pool Championship, US Open Pool Championship, and Mosconi Cup will all be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK. DAZN in the USA, Canada, Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Viaplay in Scandinavia, the Baltics, Netherlands, and Poland. Matchroom.Live in territories without a broadcaster.

Predator Announces Return of World Women’s 10-Ball Championship

Predator Group, the industry leader in innovative pool billiards products, announced today the resurrection of the Predator World Women’s 10-Ball Championship, scheduled for Klagenfurt, Austria September 6-10, 2022.

This 64-player, double-elimination tournament, will have a $148,000 prize fund and will be the first World Women’s 10-Ball title competed for since Rubilen Amit of the Philippines defeated Great Britain’s Kelly Fisher in the Philippines at the 2013 World Championship. Coincidentally, Fisher won the last women’s world pocket billiards championship contested before the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered the industry, defeating Austria’s Jasmin Ouschan in the finals of the World Women’s 9-Ball Championship held in China during December of 2019.

“The women’s game is very important for a number of reasons,” said WPA President Ian Anderson. “There are a lot of great women’s players throughout the world. Unfortunately, we haven’t had as many women’s events in the past but the more that we can have, the better.”

No female competitor has been hotter than Fisher, who was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 2020. The crafty Brit, who won the World Women’s 10-Ball Championship in 2011, not only won the first Predator Pro Billiard Series Women’s event of 2022 but also took top honors at the WPBA’s Northern Lights Open as well as the Super Billiards Expo’s Pro Players Championship.

The Predator World Women’s 10-Ball Championship is yet another new event in the ever-expanding portfolio of the United States-based billiards manufacturer, which revamped the dormant men’s World 10-Ball Championship in 2019 when it partnered with amateur league operator CueSports International to stage the event as part of CSI’s annual Expo in Las Vegas. Last year, Predator and CSI launched the U.S. Pro Billiards Series – a series of professional 10-ball events coinciding with CSI state championships – as well as the Austria Open, which featured men’s and women’s professional competition. The company expanded into the women’s game further this year with the creation of women’s U.S. Pro Billiard Series events, including April’s Women’s Professional Billiards Association Alfa Las Vegas Open which Fisher claimed by defeating Canada’s Brittany Bryant.

“I really like the current schedule because there are so many events,” said Ouschan. “I’m super excited and I really can’t wait for the World 10-ball to happen again. And seeing that it’s happening in Austria, that’s doubly special to me.”

“We have Predator doing a number of events plus the World Championships for men and women plus a World Championship for juniors,” said Anderson. “Their contribution has been fantastic.”

The tournament will be held in hometown of Ouschan, who won the World 10-Ball Championship in 2011. One of the most decorated female players throughout Europe and the world, the Austrian has come close in recent World Championship events only to be turned away in the finals – finishing second at the World 9-Ball Championships in 2019 and 2015 as well as placing second back-to-back years at the Amway World Open.

The event will be a bit of a homecoming for the Austrian who, while well-known in her native land, rarely has a chance to showcase her skills on a large stage in front of her fellow countrywomen and men.

“It’s so cool to bring such a huge event to Austria because I and my brother are really known here but the people never really get to see anything,” she said. “There’s not much pool on television so, bringing a big tournament to my hometown is so special. But, then I know you have an extra portion of pressure that comes with it. Winning a World Championship in my hometown is just a crazy thought.”

“We are so excited to be reviving the World Women’s 10-Ball Championship and bringing it to Austria in September,” said Karim Belhaj, CEO of Predator Group. “We want to give back to all of the professional game, which is why we launched the Women’s Pro Billiard Series events this year and have now added the Predator World Women’s 10-Ball Championship to our roster. Alongside the men’s World 10-Ball and World Junior Championships we are continuing to celebrate the game and we hope that everybody can benefit from the excitement created around the sport.”

The Predator Pro Billiard Series is a series of open, professional events held around the world to provide more opportunities for professional and aspiring pool players to compete in high-quality events, earn more income, sharpen their skills and play their way into the Predator World Women’s 10-Ball Championship held each year by Predator and the World Pool-Billiards Association. Follow @probilliardseries on Facebook, @probilliardseries on Instagram or @PBilliardSeries on Twitter to follow the next events.

Jerry Briesath and Dennis Orcollo Elected to Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame
    
Superior, Colo., July 12, 2021 — The Billiard Congress of America (BCA) Hall of Fame will welcome a world champion and one of the game’s most revered teachers to the Hall of Fame Class of 2022. The United States Billiard Media Association (USBMA) today announced that Filipino star Dennis Orcollo and legendary instructor Jerry Briesath have earned induction into the sport’s most prestigious club.

Orcollo, 43, was the clear choice of voters in the Greatest Players category and will be the fourth player representing the Philippines to be inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame, joining Pinoy legends Efren Reyes, Francisco Bustamante and Jose Parica.

Briesath, 85, was a unanimous selection in the Meritorious Service category. The longtime and legendary instructor is considered the father of formal billiard instruction in America, having helped develop and guide the program from concept to its current roster of more than 300 professional instructors across the globe.

Orcollo and Briesath will formally be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Friday, Nov. 4, at the Norfolk Sheraton Waterside Hotel in Norfolk, Va., in conjunction with the 2022 International Open pool tournament.

“Wow!” Orcollo said from his home in the Philippines, where he is awaiting a meeting with U.S. Immigration authorities to petition his return to action in U.S. tournaments. “I never really thought I would be in the Hall of Fame. This is a great award.

“I’m not Efren Reyes,” he laughed. “He is one of the greatest ever. I don’t think of myself that way, so I never really thought about it.”

For Briesath, an active pro player in the 1960’s and ’70s, the award is validation of years of service to players and the sport.

“This is just super,” Briesath said. “The Hall of Fame is about having the admiration of people in the sport and in the industry for what you’ve done. I’ve been to almost all of the Hall of Fame banquets and it was always wonderful to see great players and good people get recognized.”

A longtime poolroom owner in Madison, Wis., Briesath helped launch the BCA Certified Instructor Program (now known as the Professional Billiard Instructors Association) in 1992 and the BCA Summer Youth Cue Camps in 1993. He was awarded the BCA President’s Award in 1997 for his ongoing efforts to improve how players learn to play. He later helped create the BCA “How to Play Pool Right” book and video.

In addition to claiming the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) World 8-Ball Championship in 2011, Orcollo (known in pool circles as “Robocop”) won the BCA Open 9-Ball Championship (2007), Qatar World Open (2008), World Pool Masters (2010), and the China Open (2012). He has been a dominant force at the annual Derby City Classic, winning the 9-Ball division twice (2011, 2017), the Banks division twice (2014, 2020), and the Master of the Table crown twice (2017, 2020). He holds major titles in 8-ball, 9-ball, straight pool, 10-ball, one-pocket and banks.

Voting for the 2022 BCA Hall of Fame was conducted by the USBMA Hall of Fame Board, which consists of USBMA members, elected At-Large members and living members of the Hall of Fame. In his third year on the ballot, Orcollo was named on 34 submitted ballots (80%). Holland’s Niels Feijen was named on 25 ballots (60%), while American Corey Deuel was named on 15 ballots (39%). Jeremy Jones, JoAnn Mason-Parker, John Schmidt, Vivian Villarreal and Charlie Williams completed the 2022 ballot. To be eligible for consideration in the Greatest Players category, a player (a) must be 40 years old by Jan. 1 of the year of their inclusion on the ballot; (b) must have a professional playing career of at least 10 years; and (c) must have recorded significant achievements in U.S.-based and international events recognized by the BCA.

About United States Billiard Media Association
Founded in 2007, the United States Billiard Media Association (USBMA) is a non-profit association dedicated to elevating the visibility and status of billiards in the media at large. The USBMA consists of professional print, radio, TV, public relations and Internet media persons who cover cue sports. One of the association’s main functions is electing of billiard media members to the Billiard Congress of America’s Hall of Fame Board for the purpose of nominating and electing players and notable figures to the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame.

About Billiard Congress of America

Founded in 1948, the Billiard Congress of America is a non-profit trade organization dedicated to growing a united, prosperous and highly regarded billiard industry through BCA leadership. The BCA seeks to enhance the success of its members and promote the game of billiards though educational, marketing and promotional efforts, annual industry trade shows, tournaments and other programs designed to encourage billiards as a lifestyle and make pool everybody's game. For more information, visit bca-pool.com or call 303.243.5070.